Great white shark review under way

West Australian fisheries and federal environment authorities have met to discuss the protection of great white sharks, following the state's fifth fatal shark attack in 10 months.

The West Australian Fisheries Department confirmed to AAP today that director of research Rick Fletcher had met the federal Department of Environment last week to discuss joint research into great white shark numbers and behaviour, which may lead to a review of their protected status.

Great whites have been protected in Australian waters since 1999, but with the unprecedented number of attacks off Western Australia's south-west coast in recent years, there have been calls to review their numbers and protected status.

Following the death of 24-year-old surfer Ben Linden 160 kilometres north of Perth on July 14, West Australian Fisheries Minister Norman Moore wrote to federal Environment Minister Tony Burke about the species' protected status, saying it was time to reassess numbers and research their behaviour.

Mr Burke said at the time he supported such a study, though a time frame had yet to be set.

The West Australian Fisheries Department said Dr Fletcher's meeting was "productive and useful" and that the two sides were "working on options for further consideration".

Each side would need to report back to their ministers before issuing any further comment.

A spokeswoman from Mr Moore's office said the minister had asked for any data on great white sharks, and for the federal government to undertake further research to determine if the species was still vulnerable.